The men - the two highest profile Republicans on this year's ballot - hope to use the issue to their advantage by opposing "Obamacare," or at least parts of it. Reichert, running for re-election to the U.S. House from Seattle's eastern suburbs, and Rossi, who is challenging Democratic Sen. Patty Murray, call the bill signed by the president in March a "government takeover of healthcare."

Republicans nationwide have seized on the new health care law - which remains unpopular in the abstract - as they try to reclaim one or both chambers of Congress. A recent Rasmussen Reportssurvey showed that 54 percent of state voters favored repeal of the law. But individual aspects of the bill - like restrictions against insurance companies denying coverage to the sick - are popular.

Both Reichert and Rossi speak of using a scalpel to cleave out sections they oppose (mandates and higher taxes) while preserving things people like - such as prohibitions on insurance companies denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions.

"Yes, we do need to reform and strengthen our health care system, but this should be done without saddling Americans with massive tax hikes in the middle of a recession," Reichert has said. Rossi, meanwhile, says "the bill passed by Congress was a tax and spend bill with a little health care sprinkled on top."

Their Democratic opponents say they're coming down on both sides of the debate, promising voters more than they can deliver by vowing to cut taxes and increase coverage.

Sweeping changes

Obama's $940 billion plan is expected to extend coverage to more than 30 million Americans who are currently without insurance. Under the new law, beginning in 2014 people without health insurance would be fined by the IRS if they don't have coverage. And wealthier people will pay higher Medicare taxes and larger companies will also pay more.

The insurance mandate and higher Medicare taxes subsidize the most popular parts of the plan, like expanding coverage, keeping adult children on parents' plans longer and the removal lifetime coverage limits. Democrats point out that the individual mandate was an idea promoted by conservatives in the 1990s. Forcing people to buy health insurance broadens the customer base for private companies, making it more affordable for them to cover people with pre-existing conditions and other aspects of the new measure.

Scott Whiteaker, spokesman for Suzan DelBene, Reichert's Democratic opponent, said Reichert told local radio personality Dave Ross that he wouldn't try to repeal the new law, but then signed on as a co-sponsor of the GOP attempt to do just that.

"Reichert's biggest argument about health care reform is with himself," Whiteaker said. "This is another example of the incumbent taking both sides of an issue for political gain...Reichert's attempt to dodge and obscure his own words with insurance industry talking points are as cynical as they are transparent. Reichert owes voters an explanation."

Reichert spokeswoman Amanda Halligan said the congressman believes the only practical approach is to work to remove objectionable provisions - like new taxes on medical devices, Medicare cuts and the individual mandate.

Rossi, meanwhile, says he wants to replace the new health care bill with something that would lower costs, improve access and give people greater choices.

How would he pay for it?

Rossi wants to allow people to buy insurance across state lines - just like they do for things like auto insurance. He also wants to limit payments in malpractice lawsuits, allow small businesses to band together to increase their purchasing power and give individuals the same health insurance tax deductions as corporations.

"Dino has offered a number of common-sense solutions," said his spokesowman, Jennifer Morris.

But Julie Edwards, Murray's campaign spokeswoman, says Rossi's ideas will cost more than the law the Democrats fought so hard to pass.

"The Republican plan, which Mr. Rossi's proposal seems to mirror, did less to reduce the deficit or expand access to coverage," she said.

The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office has estimated that over a 10-year plan, the health care bill Obama signed will lead to a reduction of $138 billion in the federal deficit over a decade. The CBO said Republican plans similar to Rossi's would reduce the deficit by about $68 billion over 10 years.

And while Murray doesn't think the new law is perfect, Edwards said the senator is proud of many of its accomplishments.

"Thanks to the new law, starting this year children with pre-existing conditions can see a doctor, seniors will get help paying for prescription drugs and children will be able to stay on their parents' plans until they are twenty-six. Those supporting repeal would take away those new rights," Edwards said.